Trail Talk Blog

Stage I Fire Restrictions Now in Place

Posted on by j3media

As of June 16, 2021 La Plata County and the San Juan National Forest have enacted Stage I Fire Restrictions.

Southwest Colorado is in extreme drought with continued hot, dry weather forecasts creating a critical fire environment. 

Under the restrictions, the following acts are prohibited:

  • Igniting, building, maintaining, or using a fire (includes fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes) outside of a permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas). The fine for violating campfire restrictions is $500. 
    • EXCEPTIONS: The use of a stove or grill solely fueled by liquid
      petroleum fuels, or a fully enclosed metal stove, grill, or sheep herder type stove with a chimney at least 5’ and a mesh screen spark arrestor.
  • Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least 3’ in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials. $300 fine.
  • Using explosive material (i.e., fireworks, blasting caps, or any incendiary device which may result in the ignition of flammable material).
  • Welding and/or operating an acetylene or similar torch with an open flame, except that, as long as a fire watch individual is on site and readily available with proper hand tools and either one 2 ½ gallon pressurized fire extinguisher, one 5 pound ABC extinguisher, or pressurized water supply, welding and/or operating an acetylene or similar torch with an open flame in a 20-foot radius safe zone free of vegetation is not prohibited
  • Operating a chainsaw without an effective and properly installed USDA- or Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)- approved spark arrestor, a chemical pressurized fire extinguishers.

Fire restrictions are designed to protect public safety and our area’s natural resources.

Neighboring federal, state, and local fire managers are also entering fire restrictions. 

Almost 90% of all wildfires on public lands are started by humans. It is every forest visitor’s responsibility to recreate responsibly and follow best practices. To report a fire call 911.

Please follow all local fire restrictions and help keep our lands safe!

 

Celebrate the launch of Trail Crew Brew!

Posted on by j3media

Drive Thru Meet the Crew | Membership Join or Renew

Earth Day

Thursday, April 22nd

12 Pm to 6 Pm

Ska Brewing, 225 Girard

Celebrate the launch of Trail Crew Brew at our Spring Fundraiser and 2020 30th Anniversary Celebration Re-Do!

This event is a “Drive-Thru” only event to support Durango Trails in partnership with our friends at Ska. 

Walk, ride, or drive thru at Ska Brewing to support your area trails, meet our 2021 trail crew, and join or renew your Durango Trails membership!

Plus, we’ll be launching a new Ska beer crafted specially for Durango Trails: Trail Crew Brew.

Donate $25 or more to Durango Trails and you’ll receive 15% off a 6-pack of the limited edition brew. Or donate $100 or more and you’ll receive one 32 oz crowler!

Ride-thru, walk-thru or drive-thru to meet the crew, join or renew, and enjoy a Trail Crew Brew. We hope you’ll be able to join us on Earth Day, April 22nd, for our first fundraiser in over a year and to show your love for Durango Trails.

Trail Etiquette: Muddy Trails

Posted on by Director

It’s that time of year, shoulder season, mud season but certainly not riding your mountain biking at lunch time season.

It’s best to avoid standing water and mud. Right now, the snow is melting on the south face, and still present on the north faces, making the space in between mud. 

Trails are very susceptive to damage during this current freeze/thaw process.

The soil displacement from riding, walking and running at this time carries the soil away. If the trail is 90% rideable, the 10% that is muddy can still ruin your derailleur or running shoes.

Technically, it’s best to turn around once you encounter muddy trails. If you need to ride, walk or run through mud to get back to dry dirt, run right through the puddles and mud thereby not causing damage to trailside vegetation or unnecessary trail widening.

Even if you find it rideable, it’s best to wait until things dry out. 

South facing in Dalla Mountain Park on 3.4.21
South facing in Dalla Mountain Park on 3.4.21
North facing in Dalla Mountain Park on 3.4.21
North facing in Dalla Mountain Park on 3.4.21

What can you do?

Read the Durango Trails Trail Conditions Report before heading out

Like the Durango Trails Facebook and Instagram pages for up to date trail beta

Join the Durango Trails Facebook Trail Conditions group

Ride Gravel

Explore the Animas River Trail 

Hike or run in the early morning (before 9:30 am) or late afternoon (after 5:00 pm) – muddy areas are more likely to be harder (colder air temps) and less messy since harder soils are much less likely to erode. 

When possible, stick to south-facing trails, which tend to be drier – the drier the trail, the less damage done – if any

Donate to Durango Trails to help support our ongoing trail maintenance efforts

For more information:

Visit American Trails’ guide to trail etiquette when mud is present.

Welcome to Durango’s Trails: Tips for Visitors

Posted on by Director

Welcome to Durango’s trails! Whether you are visiting our area or are simply a new local trail user, we hope you enjoy your time on the trails.

Here in Durango, we believe that trails are the gateway to the outdoors, leading us to amazing outdoor adventures and connecting our community in more ways than one.

Things to know before you hit the trails

Our trail network is divided into four regions (see below for recommended trails in each region):

  • Urban Interface or In-Town trails, known as “Lunch Rides,” are trails that are easily accessed from town, and generally require only an hour or two to complete

  • Mid-Country Trails, or “Mini Adventures,” allow you to experience a half day ride, hike or run in the mid country areas surrounding Durango

  • High Country Trails, or what we like to call the “Hall Pass,” are full day adventures [to explore Molas Pass, Coal Bank and Silverton Area Trails]
  • Regional Trails are those located in the Surrounding Areas of Mancos, Cortez, Moab, Rico, and Telluride usually within a short 2.5 hour drive [like Phils World, Mancos, Cortez, Rico, and Moab area trails]

Our trails are primarily two way; uphill traffic has the right of way. When it comes to mixed-use trails, remember that bikes yield to hikers and horseback riders, and hikers yield to horseback riders.

We are proud of our share the trails ethics. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with proper trail etiquette so that all users can have an enjoyable experience. Remember to say hello when greeted by other trail users!

Be sure to educate yourself on current COVID-19 guidelines as well as all active fire restrictions before setting out.

Welcome to Durango; we look forward to seeing you on the trails! 

Durango Trails is Durango, Colorado’s local non profit trails organization, connecting you to the outdoors. We plan, build and maintain trails; educate trail users; and encourage connectivity on the road, path and trail. If you’ve enjoyed our trails, we encourage you to please consider donating to Durango Trails so we continue our hard work! We also have awesome merchandise to help rep your #DurangoTrailLove!

A good place to start

locals' favorite trails

Urban Interface/In-Town

Biking on the Horse Gulch Trail System near Durango, CO

Horse Gulch Trail System

The Horse Gulch/Telegraph Trail System is the perfect trail system for all levels and user types. Located right in-town, it is a local favorite for hiking and mountain biking, and with so many different connectin

Read More »

Mid-Country

High-Country

Surrounding Area

RidgeView (formerly SkyRaider) Trail Opens!

Posted on by Director

Durango Trails is excited to announce the opening of a new trail connecting Powerline to Extended Ridge! 

After an unprecedented spring season, Durango Trails, working with the City of Durango, has completed the construction of the RidgeView Trail. Work on RidgeView was initiated last season by our hard-working volunteers and was completed this season by the Durango Trails Crew Leader team, as volunteer trailwork days have been put on hold so far this year due to COVID-19.

“Durango Trails has been working with the City for over two decades, planning, building, and maintaining our area trails; partnering on education, outreach, and helping connect our town. We are so pleased that they are visionary and solution-oriented and can deliver top-notch trails to our community,” said Councilor Chris Bettin who also sits on the Park and Recreation Advisory Board.

“Trails are the cornerstone of our community, the gateway to the outdoors, and the work of Durango Trails can not be overstated as it relates to the branding of Durango and its role in our recovery from this global pandemic,” added Rachel Brown, director of Visit Durango, Durango’s destination marketing organization.

As a celebration of the Solstice, the RidgeView Trail will officially open on Saturday, June 20. Since the opening celebration will be virtual, please help us celebrate by viewing and sharing the celebratory video below.

The trail is located off of the Powerline Trail and connects Powerline to Raider Ridge. 

Updated COVID-19 Recreation Guidelines

Posted on by Director

Updated Nov. 20, 2020

If you’re seeking best practices while on our area trails, here are suggestions. As of November 20, 2020, the state of La Plata County’s COVID-19 restrictions are now labeled as Level Red. Please care for yourself and your neighbors and safely connect through the outdoors. Connecting to the outdoors is still recognized as essential to our mental and physical health.

When visiting area trails and public lands, please follow these guidelines to ensure a safe environment for all: 

  • Social distancing: Keep a safe physical distance of at least six feet from people you do not live with.
  • Go solo or only with people you live with: This isn’t the time to hold even small social gatherings on public lands, as that could increase community spread of the virus. Please save the group runs, rides or hikes for after the order is lifted. 
  • Avoid the crowds: Look for nearby nature to enjoy; the closer to home the better.
  • Share the wealth: Whether it’s sharing trails and yielding to others in order to maintain a safe distance, or limiting your time on public lands so that more people can have a safe experience, please keep your larger community in mind.
  • Leave no trace: Pack out what you pack in, as garbage collection is currently very limited.
  • Use common sense: Stay at home if you or others in your household are feeling sick.

With a large number of new, local trail users out, please remember to follow “Share the Trails” ethics and proper trail etiquette by announcing yourself, slowing down, communicating with others about how to proceed, and always keeping your dog on a leash. Remember, just say “hi”.

Trails are the gateway to the outdoors; please continue to follow all local guidelines and public health orders so we can all continue to enjoy the outdoors together!

Have you been enjoying our local trails more than usual while quarantined this year? Please consider donating to Durango Trails during this season of giving so we can continue to build, plan, and maintain the regional trails you love. We also have awesome merchandise to help rep your #DurangoTrailLove!

Resources: 

State of Colorado Department of Public Health

Safe Trail Use During COVID-19

Posted on by j3media

Updated May 22, 2020.

The Colorado Stay at Home Order that went into effect March 26 was changed to a “Safer-at-Home” order on April 27th. It continues to allow exercise outside the home, and travel via foot, bike or car to trailheads. Outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, fishing, biking, or running are still permitted under the order. State parks will remain open for the previously-mentioned activities.

The COVID-19 situation and subsequent Stay at Home Order by San Juan Basin Health is not something to be taken lightly. Getting exercise and getting outside is extremely important for our well-being and mental health, but we must keep open spaces safe and uncrowded. Here’s what Durango Trails is doing and our recommendations for safe trail use during this time.

TRAILWORK EVENTS ARE POSTPONED

All Durango Trails trail building events, parties, and other social events are postponed until such time as group activities are deemed safe again. We continue to look forward to our upcoming 2020 Trailwork Kick-Off Event, as well as our 30th Anniversary Celebration, and we will update you when new dates have been chosen for both.

TRAILS: THE GATEWAY TO OUTDOOR RECREATION

The current guidelines list biking, walking, hiking and other outdoor activities as essential, permitted activities while following social distancing. In order to comply with all social distancing orders, do not organize a group activity of more than 10 people and maintain a distance of 6 feet between all. Please remember, no matter how you choose to get outdoors, social distancing is not optional. Please abide by all guidelines and rules listed below.

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Stay alert, slow down, and communicate with each other from a distance about how to proceed. With local gyms and rec centers closed, there may be new users on the trails. Now is a great time to educate the community on responsible trail use, and to be patient, exemplary stewards and neighbors. Remember, great communities build great trails and great trails build great communities.

TRAIL RUNNING

To follow proper social distancing guidelines, please do not run in groups. Please announce yourself.

DOG WALKING

Dogs must be on a leash! Please don’t put anyone at risk by not having your dog on a leash and please, always pick up after your dog.

KEEP OPEN SPACES UNCROWDED

  • Pick off-peak times to ride, or choose less-used trail areas. If there is no available parking at a trailhead, it is too crowded!
  • Ride fewer times a week.
  • Remember to keep your dogs on a leash; this is important to help keep everyone protected and reduce the impact on emergency services.

PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING

  • Don’t carpool, unless with household members.
  • Don’t do shuttle rides.
  • Ride solo. If you do ride with others, the intention is that you only go with people in YOUR HOUSEHOLD, and maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance at all times.
  • Give plenty of room to all users on the trail. Instead of the MTB Lean, step off the trail and lift your bike with you to let others pass. Please don’t take a longer path and ride off-trail to avoid users.
  • Check out our video learning series on current best trail practices
  • When in doubt, remember the llama rule!

AVOID CONTAMINATION

  • While masks are not required while recreating, please be conscious of conditions where passing one another at close proximity is required. Watch our video learning series on safe passing and keep a mask in your pack when needed, or for visiting public areas and shops.
  • Don’t ride if you are sick.
  • Avoid touching others’ bikes, racks or equipment like pumps and tools.
  • Don’t share drinks, food, or anything else that goes in your mouth and can be inhaled.
  • Be mindful of your snot rockets and loogies.
  • Use the bathroom before you leave the house. Some trailhead restrooms are open but aren’t being maintained, others are closed.

KEEP TRIPS SHORT AND CONSERVATIVE

Ride and hike within your limits and don’t take risks. Now is not the time to go big; our healthcare system has enough to do without setting your broken collar bone.

KEEP IT LOCAL

  • If you can safely ride to the trailhead, please do so.
  • Do not get in your car and travel to other communities. Communities like Moab shut down camping and request visitors to stay home. They do not have the resources or infrastructure to handle visitors during this time and are trying to stop the spread of COVID-19 in their own towns. 

GRAVEL RIDING

Our trails have been very busy since COVID-19 was first detected, so now is a great time to explore https://gravelmap.com/browse/colorado/durango.

No special bike required, just turn off your suspension and have a sense of adventure.

BE SAFE AND BE SMART

We want to get outside with you when this is over, please take this pandemic seriously!

 

RESOURCES

COVID 19 and Public Lands

Posted on by j3media

While we strongly agree that sunshine, getting outdoors and connecting with nature is an antidote for mental and physical and health, we are also paying attention to our land managers posting around changes regarding COVID 19. We have postponed Trailwork Kick-Off until April 11.

At this point, City Open Space, BLM, Forest Service, and private trail access areas remain open. The National Park Service states: National parks and their facilities remain open during the coronavirus epidemic in the United States while National Park Service officials await further guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“To help guide the National Park Service operational response to the novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19), the NPS Office of Public Health and the U.S. Public Health Service officers assigned to the NPS are closely monitoring the situation and keeping staff informed,” Park Service acting chief spokesperson Stephanie Roulett told the Traveler in an email. “They are relying on the most updated data and information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), the Office of Personnel and Management (OPM), state and local public health authorities, and coordinating with the DOI Office of Emergency Management.

“The national parks are open and facilities are maintaining continuity of operations,” she added. “The NPS is focused on ensuring employees, their families, volunteers, and visitors are safe by following the most current guidance from the CDC, OPM, OEM, and other federal, state, and local health authorities.”

The Park Service has been working to keep the public up-to-date on the situation via its public health website.

The Durango Rec Center, Chapman Hill, Durango Gymnastics and the Durango Library will close on Monday, March 16.

City of Durango facility closures effective Monday, March 16:

  • Durango Community Recreation Center
  • Chapman Hill
  • Durango Gymnastics
  • Durango Public LibraryAll previously scheduled Recreation and Library programs, as well as meeting room rentals, will be canceled during this closure period. We will be evaluating the ability to issue refunds or credits for recreation passes, memberships, and meeting room rentals. The City facility and program closures will be in effect through April 7, 2020. All other City facilities are still operating normally.During the closure, City staff will conduct a deep cleaning and disinfection of these facilities as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers.

SW CO Gives

Posted on by j3media

Southwest Colorado Gives is a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado to inspire generosity in our five county community and increase online giving for local participating nonprofits, like Trails 2000! 

Colorado Gives Day is Tuesday, December 10, and features a $1.5 million Incentive Fund. Every nonprofit receiving a donation on Colorado Gives Day will receive a portion of the fund, increasing the value of every dollar donated. Colorado Gives Day has grown to be the state’s largest one-day online giving event, raising more than $217 million since it began in 2010. 

In the Durango area, trails create community and connect us. They are the training grounds for our youth, amateur and professional athletes, they are the place where we meet our friends and create connections.

Trails define us. This year we built and maintained world-class trails on Forest Service, BLM, County, City and private lands.

Your financial support is essential for our success, and we rely on your help. In this season of giving, we ask that you please contribute to DurangoTrails 2000.

Here is what we accomplished in 2019 with your generous donations:

  • Restoration & Tree Removal– We worked very hard on the Hermosa Creek Trial to repair the damage from the 416 fire.
  • Trail Construction– We built new sections on SkyRaider, Down N Out, Rocky Road, Ned’s Hill, West Cross Creek (Stagecoach), Huck ‘Em Cowgirl, and more
  • Trail Maintenance– We worked hard keeping trails in some of the classic areas great: Overend Mountain Park, Horse Gulch, Carbon Junction
  • Trail Planning and Collaboration– Once again we were fortunate to collaborate with land agency partners at the City of Durango, US Forest Service, BLM, private land owners
  • Colorado Trail Clean-Up: Over 125 downed trees cut and participated in various trail planning projects with area land managers; and worked with volunteer groups on trail work, including: Fort Lewis College, Durango Running Club, and various Scout troops
  • Education– We helped nurture the next generation of outdoor loving trail stewards through our TrailKids ecology education program
  • Community Engagement– We shared timely trail conditions, news, photos, video, and other helpful info on Trails2000.org and through social channels
  • Fundraising– We held our popular Trails 2000 Auction, the organization’s largest annual event
  • Celebration– We celebrated our wonderful volunteers and crew leaders at the annual Trails and Ales and Trailsgiving events.

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